There is so much to do around Charlotte this weekend, Friday, September 21st, through Sunday, September 23rd, 2018, that festivals deserve a separate shout-out. Included are cultural festivals, a kids’ festival, an agricultural festival, food festivals, art festivals and even a yoga festival.
Most of these festivals are free, but in all cases you’ll need to bring money for food, shopping and activities.
Mecktoberfest
Mecktoberfest
September 21-23
11 a.m. to 10 p.m. each day
Olde Mecklenburg Brewery, 4150 Yancey Road
Free
One of Olde Mecklenburg Brewery’s biggest events of the year, Mecktoberfest features live music each day, German food for purchase, the seasonal Mecktoberfest beer, as well as several year-round brews.
Festival in the Park
Festival in the Park
Friday, September 21, 4 pm. to 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, September 22, 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Sunday, September 23, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Freedom Park, 1900 East Boulevard
Free
Enjoy entertainment on six stages, art and a Family Fun Zone.
Moon Festival: Vietnamese Food and Cultural Festival
Moon Festival: Vietnamese Food and Cultural Festival
Friday, September 21, 6 pm. to 11 p.m.
Saturday, September 22, 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Sunday, September 23, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
St. Joseph Catholic Church, 4929 Sandy Porter Road
Free
Highlights are the Lantern Parade, Lion Dance, games, live entertainment, and the 90+ menu items for sale, including rabbit stew, grilled shrimp Vietnamese steam pancake roll, fried bananas, rotisserie quail, pork on a stick and much more.
Flow Fest
Flow Fest
Saturday, September 22, 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
U.S. National Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Parkway
Free (parking is $6)
This new festival celebrates wellness and mindfulness in a natural, outdoor setting. It features a huge variety of yoga practices, as well as wine and kombucha sampling. Live music by Trampled by Turtles and David Huckfelt.
Union County Heritage Festival
Union County Heritage Festival
Saturday, September 22, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Union County Agricultural Center, 3230 Presson Drive, Monroe
Free
This festival includes live entertainment, vendors, games, heritage arts demonstrations, cooking demonstrations, exhibitors and more.
Town of Mount Pleasant Fall Craft Festival & Amateur Backyard BBQ & Wing Cook-Off
Town of Mount Pleasant Fall Craft Festival & Amateur Backyard BBQ & Wing Cook-Off
Saturday, September 22, 10 am. to 4 p.m.
8590 Park Drive, Mt. Pleasant
Free
Family activities, kids’ games, fall photo ops, entertainment, craft vendors, food vendors, BBQ and Wing Cookoff.
Serb Fest
Serb Fest
Saturday, September 22, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Sunday, September 23, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
St. Simeon Serbian Orthodox Church, 7609 Mallard Creek Road
Free
Soccer tournament, food and music.
Charlotte Kids Fest
Charlotte Kids Fest
Saturday, September 22, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
9100 Robert D. Snyder Road (UNC Charlotte Campus)
Free
This festival features four zones: Create, Discover, Learn and Play. Just of few of the activities kids can enjoy: Hula hoop class, juggling, crafts, robotics, magic, and much more. Kids get to take part in these activities–not just watch.
Charlotte Irish Fest
Charlotte Irish Fest
Saturday, September 22, 1 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Tyber Creek Pub, 1933 South Boulevard
$10 (kids under 12 free)
The Charlotte Irish Connection and the Charlotte Gaelic Athletic Association is presenting Charlotte Irish Fest as a way to to raise funds to build an American-Irish Cultural Center for the Charlotte community. There will be Irish dancing lessons, live music, whiskey tasting, bounce house, face painting, dunk tank Irish ball games, and more.
Downtown Davidson Fall Arts Festival
Downtown Davidson Arts Festival
Saturday, September 22, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Downtown Davidson
Free
A showcase of more than 40 of the area’s best makers, as well as live music and an interactive children’s art area.
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